Experiencing God Through His Creation

A few days ago, Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho endured a rampage of summer storms. Two glorious nights of terrific splendor and magnificence of nature! But, until a few days ago I never sat in silence to think about the nature around me that God created.

The first morning of the storm I decided to go to the beach to read my Bible. I know, I know, going to the beach during a rainstorm seems silly, but I knew it would provide me the peace and solitude that I was searching for at the time.

I settled myself on a damp picnic table, looked around for a moment at all the geese and their goslings, opened my Bible and started reading.

As I flipped through Philippians, my mind began to wander and God slowed me down to open my eyes to what was surrounding me. It was as if He was saying, “Megan, stop. Slow down a minute and look around you. Feel my love and receive my gifts to you!”

[pullquote width="300" float="left"]He created these giant feats of nature to glorify Him and His wonders![/pullquote]

I looked ahead of me and witnessed the force of the rain slapping the lake water. The high mountains, covered in a sea of luscious, green trees, stood surrounding the lake as if they were cradling it in their hands.

I stood up and slowly made my way towards the tide, instantly being pummeled by rain. I looked down at my poorly painted toes as the cold water lapped over them. A serene peace swept over me and all I could do was smile. What a sweet, sweet gift this was!

My Father, the Lover of my soul, created this moment for me. He created these mountains. He created this lake. He created the flock of geese that were sleeping a couple yards away from me. He created this rain.

“Be still and know that I am God," my heart heard.

God’s creation is a way for us to experience his magnificence and splendor!

He created these giant feats of nature to glorify Him and His wonders! Lightning sparks the sky and shows me His power. The mountains provide me peace and the adventure it is to being in love with Christ. The water gives me serenity and reminds me to slow down and rest in Jesus. And the little goslings remind me of God’s love for His children, for me.

“Let the sea resound, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it. Let the rivers clap their hands, let the mountains sing together for joy.” – Psalm 98:7-8

It was a morning of perplexing peace and power, portrayed by our beautiful Creator. A day where I experienced God in a way I’d never before. God showed me His glory through His matchless, incredible creation!

God is so powerful and mighty to orchestrate a downpour of harsh rain, a deep rumble of thunder, complete with flashes of lightning that shine over the mountains.

[pullquote width="300" float="right"] Just as the purpose of lightning is to illuminate the night sky, so is our whole purpose is Christ. [/pullquote]

The same Almighty God creates the tiniest of beauties found in a small, weed-covered beach in northern Idaho - a beauty as small as a little gosling hurrying after its mother.

We live in a world where we have little time to just slow down. Our culture tells us the more busy we are, the happier we will be. Our motto seems to be: Work, work, work. Do, do, do. I am constantly on my cell phone: Facebook, Snapchat, making sure I have the prettiest Instagram page, checking my email every hour.

God tells us in Psalms 46:10 to just stop. Be still. Understand and enjoy who God is. He created the earth and everything in it for the sole purpose of showing His majesty! Even though I am surrounded by His majesty every day I choose to ignore it and look past it in my own busyness.

Who am I compared to Christ’s splendor?

As children of God, we are to be like the mountains, the water, the lightning, and the little goslings. We are created to glorify and praise our Creator! Just as the purpose of lightning is to illuminate the night sky, so is our whole purpose is Christ.

“You alone are the Lord. You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship you.” –Nehemiah 9:6

So, this summer, let's remember to be still. Go outside; sit on a grassy hill or a quiet beach. Turn off the cell phones, the TVs, get off of Facebook for a day and use that time to thank God for His wonders!

Experiencing God through His gifts will truly refresh your heart even on the darkest of days. Remember who your creator is because He has truly blessed us with this magnificent earth!